Authors: Shelley Shepard Gray
The Survivor (24 page)
Dear Readers,
When I began this series, I wanted to push myself a little bit. The Sugarcreek books felt like warm hugs to me. I loved writing about two close families and their relationships. But I missed writing about edgier topics . . . and edgier people. I wanted to write about people who might look like they’ve got everything figured out and are doing just fine . . . but inside they really aren’t.
I wanted to write about people like Mattie Lapp.
From the moment I wrote the scene in
The Caregiver
where Mattie first greets Lucy in her living room, I knew Mattie had my heart. I loved her friendship with Graham. I loved how she struggled with her faith. And I loved how very strong she became. She’s a true survivor to me.
Now Jenna was another story! When I decided to make her lie to Graham, I just didn’t know if she was ever going to be worthy. But then I started remembering some of the mistakes I’ve made over the years. I’ve made plenty! That’s when I decided, for me, Jenna was certainly what God’s Grace is all about. He nurtures and embraces all of us, even when we don’t always deserve it. Without fail, our Lord finds good in us all.
Once again, another series is complete! I sincerely hope you enjoyed the Families of Honor series. I truly loved writing about Calvin, Loyal, Graham, and their uncle John. And Katie, and their Wal-Mart–loving mother. I enjoyed the Kaffi Haus, with its never-ending supply of donuts, and the tree-lined sidewalks of Jacob’s Crossing. I hope you, too, found a character or a place in the series that you liked just as much.
At the end of this book is an excerpt from
Christmas in Sugarcreek.
Oh, this novel is a joy to write! I’m having a lot of fun checking in with Lilly and Robert and Caleb and Anson . . . and I have to say that Judith’s romance with Ben just might be one of the most romantic stories I’ve ever written.
Please look for the book’s release in October 2011.
Finally, no reader letter would be complete without conveying my thanks. Thanks to all the folks at HarperCollins for doing
so much.
Thank you for your edits and your advice. For your enthusiasm and your expertise. Thanks for setting up interviews and making the most beautiful covers! I feel so very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful publishing company.
Thank you to my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, for being everything she is. As always, I’m so thankful for my husband Tom, who drives me to research trips, waits patiently while I look at Amish quilts . . . and hardly ever complains when I forget to do the laundry. And most especially, thank you to all of you who read my books. You’re the reason I get up in the morning. I’m so grateful for you all.
With God’s blessings and my thanks,
10663 Loveland-Madeira Rd. #167
Loveland, Ohio 45140
1. When I read the following verse from 2 Corinthians, I knew it was the perfect verse to guide me while writing this book. I liked how honest the verse was—that even long ago people still struggled with such emotions and actions. Is there a sin or a flaw in your life that keeps you from being the way God wants you to be?
I’m afraid that maybe when I come that you will be different from the way I want you to be, and that I’ll be different from the way you want me to be. I’m afraid that there might be fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly conduct.
—2 Corinthians 12:20
2. I particularly loved the character of Mattie Lapp. I appreciated how her journey through cancer had ups and downs . . . as well as moments of joy and true heartache. Have you, or anyone you know, gone through a cancer battle? What were some of the emotions that you or they went through?
3. Graham’s faith and honor were tested in this novel. He realizes that until Jenna spread a lie about him, his faith had really never been tested. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Does everyone need to go through a difficult time in order to feel strong in his or her faith?
4 Jenna Yoder was a difficult character for me at first. However, I grew to like and even respect her. To me, she personified God’s grace. She repented and asked forgiveness from both Graham and Chris, and therefore had her own happy ending. Was this enough?
5. Mary Zehr had her hands full with her son, Abel. Her struggles with her child reminded me a bit of some of the challenges I faced with my kids when they were twelve and thirteen. How do you think Abel’s relationship with John will help both of them heal?
6. In
The Protector,
John must choose whether Jayne or Mary is right for him. In
The Survivor,
he must come to terms with his choice and change his life. Do you think he did things in the right order, or should he have decided whether or not to become Amish first?
7. Surviving was the obvious theme for this book. Not only did Mattie survive cancer, but Graham survived having his reputation stained, Jenna survived facing the truth—and its consequences—and all of them survived a storm. I believe we are all “survivors” of something. . . . What have you survived?
8. This Amish proverb seemed to fit this novel perfectly:
We value the light more fully after we’ve come through the darkness.
What “light” do you now value more fully than you used to?
Turn the page for an exciting preview of
Shelley Shepard Gray’s next book,
On sale October 2011
Ten days until Christmas
5:45 p.m.
“J
udith, are you sure you don’t mind locking up tonight?” Joshua asked, guilt heavy in his tone. “I feel bad letting you close the store two nights in a row.”
“You shouldn’t. I don’t mind staying late at all. That’s what sisters are for,
jah?
”
When Josh continued to look doubtful, Judith Graber lifted her chin and forced a smile she didn’t feel inside. “Come now, Gretta needs you. As does Will. Go on, or you’re going to be late. You two have plans, don’tcha?”
“Nothing much. We’re just getting together for supper with some other couples. You know, before things get too busy.”
She knew Joshua was talking about Christmas get-togethers and other holiday parties. Every
frau
she knew was busy baking and cooking for the planned activities.
Being single, she was not. “Go now, Joshua. I’ll be fine.”
“I promise I’ll close the rest of the week,” he said as he shrugged on his coat.
Judith crossed her arms over her chest. “You better,” she teased with a mock frown.
However, she doubted her
bruder
had even noticed her expression. He’d already opened the wreath-decorated door and let it close behind him with a jingling of bells.
Through the store’s large picture windows, Judith watched her brother weave in between two parked cars, almost knock into a woman carrying a wrapped package on the sidewalk, and then practically race toward his home.
His new home.
Just two months ago, he and Gretta had told the whole family that they were moving into a small house two blocks from the store. Living above their family’s shop no longer made sense, especially with Gretta in a family way again.
Not a member of the Graber family disagreed with their decision.
But, of course, none of them had been prepared for the adjustments that would have to be made because Joshua was no longer on the premises at all times. Now they each had to take turns opening and closing the shop. Well . . . she, Joshua, and her father.
Mamm
was still too busy at home with the little ones to come in much, and Caleb had recently started at the brick factory. Anson was still a little too young to be of any real help.
So it fell on Judith to do the majority of the work. As always.
Because she was the steady one.
The reliable one.
More like the one who had no life, Judith thought wryly. While Joshua had been falling in love, and her brother Caleb had been struggling with his future, and even as Anson wrestled with his own growing pains, she had held steady and had quietly done what was expected of her.
Everyone was appreciative, to be sure. But that didn’t ease the restless ache that seemed to be growing inside.
Wistfully, Judith looked out the window at the gently falling snow, the wheel ruts in the lane, the road beyond that led . . . somewhere else.
She wished she, like Joshua, had somewhere to run to. Wished she had someone who was counting the minutes until they saw her again.
If only . . .
Realizing she’d been standing there in a daze, Judith slapped her hands on the counter. “If you’re going to be so dreamy, you might as well be truthful about it,” she said out loud. “You don’t wish just for
someone
. You wish you had
a man, a sweetheart,
counting the minutes until he saw you again.”
Her hollow laugh echoed through the empty store. A store that surely needed tending—and she knew from experience that wishes and dreams surely didn’t get things done.
Since there were only five more minutes until closing time, she left her spot behind the counter and began her usual walk through the store. As she did so, she organized stock and picked up stray pieces of trash people had left behind. A child’s toy, a gum wrapper. Grocery list.
The bells on the door jingled merrily, causing her to straighten.
“Hello?” a deep voice called out.
Well, of course, someone decided to come in. Now that it was mere minutes before closing time. Irritation flowed through her as she straightened and, with her hands full of trash and a metal toy car, darted toward the front. “May I help you?” she called out.
Then skidded to a stop. Because right there in front of her was Benjamin Knox.
Recognition flashed in his eyes as he glanced her way. And then a long, slow smile spread. Knowing and too personal. “Judith Graber. Hi.”
“Ben.” She lifted her chin, pretending that she wasn’t shocked to her core. Two years ago, Ben Knox had left Sugarcreek under a haze of disapproval. Gossips reported that he’d gone to Missouri to help some cousins on their dairy farm, but had, in truth, done little besides flirt with the girls.
She needed to remember that. Keeping her voice cool and even, she asked, “May I help you?”
Under his black hat’s thick felt brim, his hazel eyes seemed to take in every inch of her. She felt his gaze’s sweep as surely as if he’d run a hand right down her periwinkle dress, down her black apron, along her black stockings.
“Nee,”
he said.
She couldn’t remember what she’d asked him.
“Nee?”
“No, I don’t need your help,” he said with an almost-smirk. “I’m not here for anything special. Just thought I’d look around for a few minutes.”
Judith went cold. Not here for anything special? Was he purposely being rude, or was she being too sensitive?
Probably a bit of both.
Keenly aware of the tension she felt around Ben—that bit of unease she’d always felt around him—she cleared her throat. “Just to let you know, we’re closing in one minute.”
An eyebrow rose. “In exactly one minute? Then what happens? All customers get locked in?”
“Of course not!” Oh, but, of course, he was teasing her. “What I meant to say is that you should probably leave.”
“Right now?” He turned around and stared at the clock above the door. The ridiculous clock with birds on the face instead of numbers. The clock that chirped on the hour, much to the amusement of her mother . . . and to her extreme annoyance.